Author: | Qvortrup, Lars |
Title: | Understanding new digital media |
Journal: | European Journal of Communication
2006 : SEP, VOL. 21:3, p. 345-356 |
Index terms: | communication networks Internet case studies theories |
Freeterms: | media |
Language: | eng |
Abstract: | How should the new digital media and the effect of digital networks on global communication be understood? Medium theory would be an obvious candidate. However, this article suggests another candidate: complexity theory (here as: CT.), aimed at discussing whether CT. can be applied to media studies: What can be gained, and what could be lost? Two case examples are dealt with: 1. the Mohammed cartoons in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, and 2. the Internet. How can the Internet be understood as a qualitatively new medium? Two fundamental concepts of CT. are presented: the concept of complexity and the concept of mediated communication. |
SCIMA